Canon HV40 Viewfinder: Does anyone know if this camcorder has an expendable or tilting view finder unlike the HV30 which was fixed??
43575
The VIEWFINDER (unlike the rotating screen on the left side) is not retractable, in other words, yes, it is in a fixed position.
922248
Although I have not tried video, I was truly embarrassed at a seminar when every shot made a BING noise turning heads all around. I have not figured out how to stop this. Help? Otherwise, I have much to learn but am sorry they don't seem to make these pocket sized cameras anymore with a viewfinder. Mostly I am shooting outdoors and find it impossible in the sunshine.
293871
Hi Jim To answer your question this camera does not have a view finder. I thought I would never be able to live without a view finder. But what it offers is so much better. It has about a 3 inch square view screen. I have the camera about 3 months now and it takes the best photos and I use it for close up photos that need to show detail. I use it for taking photos of things I sell on ebay. It does a great job. It was easy to use and alot easier to operate than my Sony. More user friendly and I am not a computer person. I take about 150 photos each week and this camera does it very well. One more thing the battery life is great. I must take more than 200 photos on a charge without flash... I hope this helps.... Ben
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This camera DOES HAVE a viewfinder!! Yes, I am frustrated by the new cameras coming out without viewfinders. It is very hard to see those LCD screens when you are taking photos outdoors. I LOVE this camera. I have 5 Nikon Coolpix cameras, and this is the best for its lightness, automatic lens cover, takes fabulous photos and picture perfect videos without the zoom making any noise if you zoom in and out. If I lost this camera, I would replace it with the exact same model.
602192
There is no optical view finder and from my experience, that is the biggest flaw with this camera especially for outside sunny days. The LCD screen does tilt and I've had to use that many times to be able to see what I'm trying to capture. Although that does not totally compensate for not having a view finder.
1560460
I use the HV10 and the Ikelite housing. Have shot some 30+ tapes on 60 some dives with it so far with no problems. Deepest dive has been to 175ft. With ok light and visibility the video comes out like HD programming on TV. I wish the white balance control was a little easier to operate but that is a unique control so I understand that it in a "land" camcorder it is where it is. The BP315 battery lasts for 2 one hour dives and recording of a full one hour tape. I.e. the camera is on for 2 hours and records for one of those hours. So that is a enough to keep the camera in the housing for my whole dive trip and no risk for water damage by having to open the housing in a wet environment. For anyone who gets the Ikelite/HV10 combo also get the wide angel adapter and the dome port so you get a resonable wide angel to shot with underwater. --Anders
1849828
There is no view finder. The lens is a wide angle type and I've not had any issues with it not picking up a good field of view.
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I have never tried it for video, however, I would stay as far away from this camera as possible - it is JUNK. There is a major issue concerning the lens getting stuck in the extended position and remaining there. The camera is unuseable unless repaired and in Canada, there is a flat repair fee of $159 (including tax and shipping) - you can get a used one for half on e-bay. My first one was in my pocket when the lens jammed and I had to scrap it. I bought a second one and it jammed while I was using it. Just Google "Canon ELPH lens problems" and you will get a whole pile of hits. Canon must know it is a piece of junk yet instead of giving you a break with repairs, rip you off. I have never tried it for video, however, I would stay as far away from this camera as possible - it is JUNK. There is a major issue concerning the lens getting stuck in the extended position and remaining there. The camera is unuseable unless repaired and in Canada, there is a flat repair fee of $159 (including tax and shipping) - you can get a used one for half on e-bay. My first one was in my pocket when the lens jammed and I had to scrap it. I bought a second one and it jammed while I was using it. Just Google "Canon ELPH lens problems" and you will get a whole pile of hits.... » Read More I have never tried it for video, however, I would stay as far away from this camera as possible - it is JUNK. There is a major issue concerning the lens getting stuck in the extended position and remaining there. The camera is unuseable unless repaired and in Canada, there is a flat repair fee of $159 (including tax and shipping) - you can get a used one for half on e-bay. My first one was in my pocket when the lens jammed and I had to scrap it. I bought a second one and it jammed while I was using it. Just Google "Canon ELPH lens problems" and you will get a whole pile of hits. Canon must know it is a piece of junk yet instead of giving you a break with repairs, rip you off. « Show Less
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Yes, I guess its part of Sony's patented Steady Shot technology. I'm not sure it works perfectly all the time and part of that could be me. I've used the walking test several times and when it works, it's great, but when it's not working, it looks the same as any other camcorder. I'm not sure if I have it on the correct settings. But it is perfectly normal about the lens part moving. You cannot beat Sony video quality.
611817
I LOVE this camcorder. Hi Def is incredible. Still shots (photos) are also great. I use it mainly for sports. I bought a couple different lenses (wide angle & telephoto) because I like what they offer. I personally use Adobe Premiere for editing but Final Cut would be another great option. Wondershare is also decent for quick editing and nothing fancy.
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I came to amazon to find out what's new on the camcorder front. I bought this Canon HG10 almost two years ago and I absolutely love it.I use it with Mac OS 10, IMovie and Final Cut Pro 6.0. Other than some improvements; 1080p vs 1080i (from Panasonic). I really didn't see any reason to get a new camera (upgrade). I recently just purchased new battery packs and a new Rode SVM Stereo Condenser Microphone. If I was to get a new camera I would probably get the HG20. But that one is $1000. So, no rush. I'm going to hold on to this one for a year or so then see what's available in the HG series later next year. I came to amazon to find out what's new on the camcorder front. I bought this Canon HG10 almost two years ago and I absolutely love it.I use it with Mac OS 10, IMovie and Final Cut Pro 6.0. Other than some improvements; 1080p vs 1080i (from Panasonic). I really didn't see any reason to get a new camera (upgrade). I recently just purchased new battery packs and a new Rode SVM Stereo Condenser Microphone. If I was to get a new camera I would probably get the HG20. But that one is $1000. So, no rush. I'm going to hold on to this one for a year or so then see what's... » Read More I came to amazon to find out what's new on the camcorder front. I bought this Canon HG10 almost two years ago and I absolutely love it.I use it with Mac OS 10, IMovie and Final Cut Pro 6.0. Other than some improvements; 1080p vs 1080i (from Panasonic). I really didn't see any reason to get a new camera (upgrade). I recently just purchased new battery packs and a new Rode SVM Stereo Condenser Microphone. If I was to get a new camera I would probably get the HG20. But that one is $1000. So, no rush. I'm going to hold on to this one for a year or so then see what's available in the HG series later next year. « Show Less
1443374
in the back top of the camera is a viewfinder for your eye, which can be adjusted for your vision with a small stub. When the screen is open, one can view the scene you are trying to video. The minus thing of this camera is all the controls is on the viewscreen on serveral pages. Constant useage of if with eventually wear out view screen....it has happened to me. Otherwise, it is an excellent video camera with clear videos!
202192
I have a Canon Vixia HFM 40 which I understand from Canon specs shown at http://www.canon.ca/inetCA/en/arcproducts/method/gp/pid/8607#_030 appears to have the same image sensor as the Vixia HFM 400. I find the video to be satisfactory. Camera won't focus from 1 foot away unless you use some close-up filters that can be bought inexpensively on ebay or for more money from a camera retail shop. I like the HFM 40.
1816400
Well the HF200 does behave poorly in low light condition, even with the best aperture and frame settings, but I can't tell if it's worse than other HD camcorders.Also, make sure you didn't disable the autofocus, it's easy to make things worse. I don't mean the setting available via the standard FUNC menu, but directly with the Up and Down controls from the wheel, it's the third option from the bottom.The zoom may also affect grain and artifacts, use it sparingly.
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I have not and don't know of anyone else. I too would have preferred a wider FOV, but after using the Nikon for a few weeks I find it quite adequate. Increasing the FOV generally means more weight. Lower price of course would have been better.
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Hello D. DiMichele,Thanks for your post. I agree that the viewfinder is very helpful even with a LCD screen. The extra money is worth it.
2104518
Hi Ann! Well the main differences are that the 25 uses AA batteries and the 30 requires a proprietary battery. This means that if you run out of battery power with the 30 you either have another (expensive) proprietary battery or you wait until the battery recharges( a couple of hours) before you get to shoot again. With the 25 you just pop into your local convenience store, buy a set of AA's and you are back shooting again. Me, I carry three sets of hybrid rechargeable batteries so it is unlikely I will ever run out of power, but if I do... The RAW option is good if you like spending hours and hours behind your computer screen making the "perfect" picture. I do not so I opted for the 25( I have had three cameras with RAW and have learned that shooting and tweaking is more fun than the drudgery of manipulating and converting RAW files). The only other difference is that the 30 has a slightly larger viewfinder which would be nice if I did not have to buy the extra proprietary battery(nearly 25 percent of the cameras purchase price each-and I would need three total i.e. and extra hundred bucks) instead of the three sets of set of four hybrid AA's(way less than the price of one of the 30's batteries). So if lots of extra work-time, extra expensive back-up batteries to make sure you never run out of power on a shoot and a slightly bigger viewfinder are worth it to you then the 30 is the better camera. Oh, did I mention the 30 also costs thirty percent more to buy than the 25? So the Hs25EXR is the choice for a fun camera that will do 99 percent everything the HS30EXR will do AND it will do it for less money to buy, be less work( i.e. more fun!), cheaper to power(I get 500 plus shots per set of fully charged Hybrids-mostly using the eye-level finder). The HS25EXR is the one I bought for all those reasons and more. Either way they will both be fun and that is after all the whole point of a Super duper super zoom, right?